Significant Increase in Crimes Committed by Officers in the Army

In the last one and a half years, the number of crimes committed by officers in the army has significantly increased. This information comes from the statistical data received from the Prosecutor's Office in response to a written inquiry by NEWS.am.

In particular, during 2020, there were 277 recorded cases of crimes committed by officers of the Armenian Armed Forces and the Artsakh Defense Army. In the first six months of 2021, 140 cases were reported. For comparison, in 2019, the number of recorded crimes was 176, while in 2018, it was 263 cases.

This means that while the number of crimes committed by officers decreased significantly in 2019 compared to the previous year, it increased again in 2020, rising by 57.3% compared to 2019. This recorded figure undoubtedly has objective reasons related to the Second Artsakh War in 2020 and its aftermath.

Specifically, the various manifestations of non-regulatory behavior by junior and senior officers can be the result of the morally and psychologically tense atmosphere prevailing in the army after the war, as well as the periodic personnel changes occurring within the armed forces.